Karin Parker

Karin Andrine Parker, 56, passed away on February 17, 2023. Karin was born on February 4, 1967 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Jessie McCulley and Aase (Osa) Berit Steen Andersen. She was the fourth of six kids and grew up in West Valley City, Utah.

Karin became a mother at the young age of 16 when she had Brittany. Bryan was born four years later when she was 20. Being a young mother was difficult, but she loved her kids deeply and had the help and support of two great families; The Wulf’s and the McCulley’s.

She married the love of her life, Dirk Parker on June 19, 1993, in Salt Lake City, Utah. They were a blended family of six with four awesome kids; Brittany, Bryan, Marshal and Terrell. Dirk and Karin were able to persevere through the trials and hardships of raising a blended family together. It was a joy to all when they built their swimming pool and were able to have many pool days with all the kids. Karin loved having everyone there.

She attended Bryman College where she received her GED and Associates Degree in Business. Shortly after graduating, she started with the State of Utah, Department of Health as an intern with the Bureau of HIV/AIDS. It didn’t take long for the internship to develop into a full time position. Karin worked her way up the ladder and after 30 years, retired in February 2022, as the Client Services Specialist over the ADAP (AIDS Drug Assistance Program). One of her clients gave her the title of ADAP Goddess and that nickname stuck. Soon all her clients and co-workers began calling her the ADAP Goddess. Over the years, Karin served thousands of clients by helping them qualify for the HIV/AIDS drugs they needed. It was during her tenure with the state where she made many lifelong friends, including Anna, Rachel, Meghan, Heather, Janene and her best friend Terry Hansen who preceded her in death.

Karin loved listening to audiobooks while adventuring and traveling with Dirk. She was known for putting her headphones on and rocking out to her favorite music which included Glam Rock and Heavy Metal. Sometimes she would even burst out in song and when everyone in the room would look at her and laugh, she would say “was I singing out loud?” She loved working on cross stitch or embroidery, sewing quilts for grandchildren, and had an exceptional talent for painting ceramics. She had a special affinity for fairies and sea turtles.

She was a wonderful, loving wife to Dirk, and man, did they make a great couple. Neither went anywhere without the other. She was a damn good mother, grandmother, daughter, sister and friend. She had the best one liners and would always bring a smile to your face. She would do anything for her family and friends. Karin shared so much love and joy with her close circle, she will forever be a part of our lives.

Karin is survived by: husband, Dirk Parker; children, Brittany Wulf, Bryan (Sarah) Wulf, Marshal Parker and Terrell Parker; and bonus daughter, Ashley Peterson; mother, Berit Taylor; siblings Art McCulley, Mari (Nelson) Miles, Tom (Shawna) McCulley, Richard McCulley and Paul McCulley. Karin was blessed with 11 grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her father, Jessie McCulley; in-laws, Willie Wulf, Gloria and Gayle Holt, and her best friend Terry Hansen.

Services will be Monday, February 27, 2023, from 11:00 am - 12:00 pm at Valley View Funeral Home. The family will receive friends on Sunday, February 26, 2023, from 5:00 - 7:00 pm and Monday February 27, 2023, from 10:00 - 11:00 am. Burial at Valley View Memorial Park.